Sorry, since my mind reading license was revoked I can't identify coins without a picture, or at the very least a good description.
I'm refering to the term Matte Proof in general. How does it differ from a regular proof? Sorry for the confusion. -Ilya
Matte proofs are proof coins that have a frosted finish throughout the whole coin, including the fields, whearas a "brillant proof" has a mirror-like finish in the fields, and the devices might or might not be frosted. I have the 94 Jefferson and 98 Kenndy Matte Proofs, so I base my description on those. Several matte proofs were coined in the early 20th century (Peace Dollars, Buffalo Nickels, and others) but I have never seen them in person. My understanding is they exhibit the "frosted" appearance througout the coin as well.
Well I wouldn't quite say frosted - as that could confuse some into thinking it has the cameo effect which is what frosted is usually used to describe. But I do understand your meaning. I fully agree about the difference from the mirror finish of the fields for a normal Proof coin. The fileds of a matte Proof I would describe as having a flat, but lusterous, finish instead of the polished mirror appearance. The fields of a regular Proof are highly reflective - like a mirror. The fields of a matte Proof are not. The surface of the fields for a regular Proof will appear totally smooth while the surface of the fields for a matte Proof will appear to be made up of thousands of very fine and closely spaced raised dots. It's not quite the same effect that appears on cameo devices - but it is something like that. It just doesn't appear to be bright white like a cameo does.
Good point, GD. The frost on a cameo proof is different than the finish on a matte proof. To me, it appears the cameo proof frost (say, on a proof ASE) is "thick" in appearance, whereas the matte finish (on the 98 Kennedy) has a "satin" look to it.
Yes it does have a satin look to it. I was tempted to use the word myself - but again it can be confusing because there are satin Proofs as well. And they have yet a different finish texture than the matte Proofs do. This is what makes it hard to describe the differences in the finishes. Words just don't quite do it most of the time because they can be too confusing. But once you see a matte or satin Proof - then you understand the words.
